Whole Home DVR Network with one DVR vs one with two or more DVRs

When upgrading to a Whole Home DVR Network the most common configuration is one DVR and one or more Client set-top boxes.  The advantages of having more than one DVR on the network may not be fully obvious until you have experienced the difference a second DVR makes.

The Whole Home Network can have up to 15 devices in any combination of DVRs and Client set-top boxes.  Only a maximum of 5 DVRs can be selected to be visible from other devices on the network.  Clients and DVRs can watch recordings, schedule recording on DVRs, and  delete recordings on any visible DVR on the network.   Clients can not pause live TV because they to do not have a hard drive to record the program while it is paused.

Each DVR has 2 tuners so you can only record or record and watch live a maximum of 2 live programs.  While recording 2 live programs you can watch any recorded program.   The advantage of having a second DVR on the Whole Home Network becomes apparent in two situations:

1)  When scheduling a future recording and the time conflicts with two already scheduled recordings:

With only one DVR you are prompted to cancel one of the previously scheduled recordings or not record the third program.  If your network has more than one DVR you are prompted to select another DVR on the network to record the program.

2) If you are watching live TV and two scheduled recording are about to begin recording on the DVR:

With only one DVR you are prompted to cancel one of the scheduled recording if you want to continue watching the live program.  If your network has more than one DVR, when prompted about the scheduled recordings about to start, you can save the live  program you are watching to another DVR on the network so the two scheduled recordings can be done.   You can then continue viewing the Live program as it records on the second DVR.

The experience of using a Whole Home DVR is much better than regular DVRs.  Each Home DVR has 3 time the recording capacity and a much faster processor.  The TRIO Guide is much nicer that the standard Guide.   You can view what is recorded on all the DVRs on one display or cycle thru the individual DVRs by pressing the DVR List button on the remote.